The first phase (from January to March) will be for foreigners, overseas Vietnamese citizens, and Vietnamese people.

These people are required to meet the following conditions: Vaccine passports, negative results for SARS-CoV-2 test by RT-PCR/RT-LAMP method within 72 hours before departure, medical or travel insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment with a minimum liability of US$50,000 and package tour programs.

The second phase will start from April with similar requirements on COVID-19 tests and insurance as set for the first phase. However, more tourists will be qualified including those aged 18-65 unvaccinated or partially vaccinated. 

Director of the HCMC Tourism Department Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa reported that the local tourism sector has prepared guest reception protocols and set up a hotline to ensure disease prevention. 

Earlier, on January 3, the Government permitted the southern metropolis to welcome back foreign tourists under a vaccine passport trial program from this month.

Last year, the city welcomed 1.3 million tourists, falling a staggering 85% against the 2019 figure, with a majority of tourists visiting the city in the first three months of 2020./.